Electric-circuit controller or switch.



I. HAMILTON.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER 0R SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED HAY22,19I5- Patented Dec. 19,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- J. HAMILTON.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER 0R SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, I9I5.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.l. HAMILTON.

ELECTRIC/CIRCUIT CONTROLLER OR SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1915.

1,208,775; Patented Dec.19,1916.

3 SH EFTSSHEET 3.

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ummhmlllllillll JOHN HAMILTON, OI BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC-CIRCUIT CONTROLLER OR SWITCH.

Application filed May 22, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HAMILTON, residing at 140 Bellevue street, WestRoxbury, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-CircuitControllers or Switches, of which'the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement upon what are commonly calleddouble throw knife blade or lever type electric switches which areordinarily used in electric power stations on switchboards or at othercenters of distribution of electrlcal energy for the purpose oftransferring by manual operation, electric wires or connections from oneset of contacts to another.

Upon the failure or loss of power, accidental or otherwise, at anycenter of distribution of electrical energy it is most always requisitethat distribution mains or feed wires carrying power to consumers orpoints of consumption, be capable of quick transfer from one set ofcontacts which have become denergized to another or alternate set ofcontacts which are yet alive and this transfer is usually effected bymeans .of double throw knife blade or lever typ' switches as referred toabove. The operation of these double throw switches requires thepresence of an attendant to make the transfer and in the interval whichmay be greater or less between the loss of power on one set of.contacts, and the completion of .the switching transfer to the alternateset of contacts, serious results may happen at the points ofconsumption, due to a loss of light in crowded inclosures, or a loss ofpower on elevators, cranes, &c., at critical moments.

The objects of' my invention are first to I guarantee substantialcontinuity of electrical service at the points of consumption, byautomatically effecting this switching transfer immediately upon theloss or failure of power from the normal points of contact; second'torestore this switch automatically to its normal or preferred position,immediatelv upon the reenergizing of the normal. or preferred contacts,and to hold the switch in this position ready to repeat the action uponsubsequent failures of power. Also my invention may be made toautomatically effect these switching transfers whenthe electricalpressure or voltage .at the normal or pre- Speclflcation of LettersPatent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

Serial No. 29,907.

ferred points in the first instance, falls below a predetermined value,and in the second instance rises again to that value.

In the accompanying drawings Figure #1 shows a front view and Fig. #2shows an end view of a single pole switch, while Fig. #3 shows a frontview of a double pole switch and identical letters indicate identicalparts in all views. Fig. #3 also shows the connections to both thenormal and emergency sources of supply as well as the connections to asingle set of consuming devices which may be transferred by the actionof the switch from the normal to the emergency source, and vice versa.

A represents a trunnion or shaft free to revolve about its own axis andsupported by the bearing blocks B, B; D is a spring motor or othersource of power which by means of the geared wheels G and H causes theshaft A. to revolve; C is a lever or switch blade rigidly mounted uponthe shaft A (but in, the case of the double pole switch insulated fromit) and having a compression spring contact S removably mounted upon itsfree or contact making end.

f and f are stationary contacts made up of copper and carbon andpresenting a rounded copper edge to the approaching spring contact S andan easily renewable c a'bon contact on the breaking or leaving s1 c.

J is a contact wheel or ring rigidly mounted upon the shaft A andpreferably made of one piece with the switch lever C as illustrated inFig. #3; K is a stationary wiping spring brush contact, bearing upon Jand mounted upon the case W at L; M is the distributing main orelectrical feed wire carrying energy from the contact wheel J to-thepoints of consumption.

N is a brake wheel or disk rigidly mounted upon the shaft A and recessedat N to receive the stop pins or detents C and C which project from themagnetic core or plunger Q, which in turn is raised or lowered by theenergizing or deenergizing of the solenoid coil P which is rigidlymounted at the-point R.

the containing box or case which may; ,-:made of any suitable materialwhile mamas of the mechanism which are fastened to the inside of thecase W are insulated from the latter by insulating blocks I.

Feed wires or mains from independent sources of electrical supply suchas those marked normal and emergency in Fig.

and the duplication of parts rendered necessary by the additional pole,are indicated by identical letters preceded by the negative sign todistinguish them from the corresponding positive parts.

In the slngle pole device (Figs. 1 and 2) only one side of the circuitis controlled by the device, the other side going to a common wire orground as in the case of the ordinary street railway circuit. In thedouble pole device (Fig. 3) both sides of the circuit are controlled bythe device, thus illustrating the application of the device to an allmetallic or multiphase circuit.

In the accompanying drawings the stationary contact point f is treatedas the normal or preferred point and the switch blade C is shown asmaking contact with the alternate or emergency contact f, the normalpoint f having become dead or deenergized. Since the solenoid coil P iscon- .nected to and takes its energy from the normal point f it followsthat the coil P is also dead or denergized and this is brought out inthe accompanying drawings by the fact that the magnetic core or plungerC is shown as having dropped down thus allowing the stop pin or detentto engage with the recess N on the brake wheel N.

The stop pin or detent O is by the same process put out of action, andwith the brake wheel held in this position the switch blade C is alsoheld in contact with the alternate or emergency point. of supply f. Thisis the condition that obtains when for any reason the power is off atthe normal point of supply and motors, lights, or other consumingdevices would be dead and idle but for the automatic releasing of theshaft A and the consequent connectingof the switch blade C to thealternate source of power at The device remains in this condition untilpower is restored on the normal point 7 when the solenoid coil P willpull up the magnetic core or plunger Q releasing the brake wheel N fromthe stop pin 0 and pulling the stop pin 0 into the recess N on the brakewheel N, when the switch blade 0 shall have come into electricalconnection with the normal or preferred point P. The switch will be heldin this position so long as power remains on the normal point f and theprocess of substituting the alternate source at f and restoring again tonormal may be carried on indefinitely.

naoema V represents a device for preventing injury to the apparatus bythe formation of electric arcs at the openin of the circuit.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire. tosecure by Letters Patent is as follows 1. In an electric switch thecombination of one or more levers of conducting material) der; oneor'more stationary spring brushes or arms of conducting material bearingor rubbing upon friction contacts revolving with and attached tosaid';levers; pawls or detents mounted independently of said trunnion oraxle but so disposed that they will in certain positions prevent therevolving of said trunnion or axle, and an electro magnetic means forcontrolling said pawls or detents in their relationship with saidtrunnion or axle.

2. In an electric circuit the combination of one or more contact leversmounted upon a revoluble shaft and so disposed upon said shaft as tocome into electrical connection I with certain stationary electricallyenergized contacts, and pawls or dogs in close proximity to saidrevoluble shaft but independent of it but so disposed as to engage withsaid revoluble shaft in such manner and position as to prevent saidshaft from revolving farther when the said contact levers or bladesshall have come into electrical connection with one or more of thestationary electrically energized contacts; suitable friction or rubbingdevices to conduct electrical energy off and from said contact levers orblades, and a means for causing said revoluble shaft to revolve.

3. In an electrical distribution system the combination of contactlevers mounted upon a revoluble shaft and so disposed upon said shaft asto come into electrical connection with one or more stationaryelectrical contacts in a predetermined order; one or more stationaryspring brushes or frictional contacts bearing upon said contact leversor some substantial part thereof; one or more pawls or detents engagingsaid shaft for the. purpose of stopping the same and an electro-magneticmeans for maintaining said pawls or detents in positions of action orinaction in relation to said shaft, and a means for causing said shaftto revolve.

ary elements so di osed as to electrically engage said movab e elementor elements in a predetermined sequence; stationary slipping or brushingcontacts bearing upon said movable element or elements; one or moreelectrically controlled detents or pawls so disposed and controlled.that they will either permit or prevent the revolving of said revolubleshaft according to the electrical potential of the circuit from whichthey are controlled, and a means for retarding arcing at the breaking'ofthe circuit.

5. In an electrical transmission system the combination of a revolubleshaft and a means for causing said shaft to revolve; one or more switchlevers mounted upon said shaft; stationary electrical contacts mountedindependently of said shaft and so disposed as to engage said switchlevers; one or more stationary wiping or brushing contacts bearing uponsaid switch levers or some attachment thereto; one or more detents orpawls mounted independently of said shaft and so disposed as to engagesaid shaft or some substantial part thereof and a means for controllingsaid detents or pawls in their engaging said shaft.

6. In an electrical distribution system the combination of adistribution main or wire controlled by a circuit interrupter or switchhaving its movable element actuated by a revoluble shaft and a means forcausing said shaft to revolve; one or more stationary contact elementsso mounted and disposed as to in a pre-determined sequence electricallyengage said movable contact element; electrical connection between eachstationary con tact element and a different or independent source ofelectrical supply; means for maintaining said movable contact element inelectrical connection with the normal or preferred one of the stationarycontact elements so long as the latter remains energized up to apredetermined potential; also for releasing said movable contact elementand for locking the same in electrical connection with another oralternate stationary contact element as soon as the electrical pressureon the normal or preferred stationary contact element drops below apredetermined pressure; also for again releasing said movable contactelement and restoring same to electrical connection with the said normalor preferred stationary contact element as soon as the electricalpressure or potential on the latter is raised to a predetermined valueand means for rupturing or reducing any arc which may be formed at thebreak of the circuit.

7. The combination with devices which consume electrical energy of wirescarrying energy to said devices; a mechanical means electromagneticallycontrolled for automatically disconnecting said wires from the normal orpreferred point of supply when the electrical pressure at said pointfalls below a predetermined value and for connecting said wires to anauxiliary 'or alternate point of supply; also for automaticallydisconnecting said wires from said auxiliary or alternate point ofsupply and for reestablishing electrical connection between said wiresand the said normal or preferred point of supply when the electricalpressure upon the latter rises above a predetermined value and means forreducing injury to the apparatus due to an arc at the circuit break.

8. In an electric switch the combination of a revoluble shaft and ameans for causing said shaft to revolve; movable contact elements somounted and disposed that they are actuated or propelled by saidrevoluble shaft; stationary contact elements so mounted and disposed asto in a prearranged se quence electrically engage with said movablecontact elements; electrically controlled detents or pawls adapted toprevent the revolving of said shaft and so disposed and controlled thatthe said movable contact elements are held in electrical connection withpreferred stationary contact elements so long as the electricalpotential on the latter remains above a predetermined value; saiddetents or pawls further so disposed and controlled that they will allowsaid shaft to revolve when the electrical pressure on said preferredstationary contact elements falls below a predetermined value, and willagain stop said shaft from revolving when said' movable contact elementsshall electrically engageother or alternate stationary contact elements;said detents or pawls further so disposed and controlled that they willallow said shaft to again-revolve when the electrical pressure on saidpreferred stationary contact elements rises to a predetermined value andwill stop said shaft from farther revolving when said movable contactelements shall again electrically engage said preferred stationarycontact elements; a means for transferring electrical energy from saidmovable contact elements to points of consumption, and a means forbreaking up any are which may be formed at each. of the stationarycontact elements.

9. The combination of a wire carrying electrical energy to points ofconsumption controlled by a switch whose movable element is actuated orpropelled by a revoluble shaft; a means for causing said shaft torevolve; one or more fixed contact elements so mounted and disposed asto in a prearranged sequence electrically engage said movable contactelement; electrical connection between each fixed contact element and adifferent or independent source of electrical supply; a means forpreventing further motion of said shaft when said movable contactelement becomes energized from contact with a preferred one of the fixedcontact elements; also for releasing said shaft and for again blockingand locking the same when said preferred fixed contact element shallhave become dead or deenergized and said movable contact element shallhave been transferred to electrical connection with another or alternatefixed contact element; also for again releasing said shaft when saidpreferred fixed contact element shall again become alive or reenergizedand for again locking said shaft when said movable contact element shallagain engage said preferred fixed contact element.

10. lhe combination with devices which consume electrical energy ofwires carrying energy to said devices; a mechanical meanselectro-magnetically controlled for automatically disconnecting saidwires from the normal point of supply when said normal point of supplybecomes dead or deenergized; also for connecting said wires to anotheror alternate point of supply, and for automatically disconnecting saidwires from said alternate point of supply and reestablishing electricalconnection between said wires and the said normal point of supply whenthe latter again becomes alive or re'e'nergized.

11. In an electric switch the combination of a revoluble shaft and ameans for causing said shaft to revolve movable contact elements somounted and attached that they are actuated and controlled by saidrevoluble shaft; stationary contact elements so mounted and disposed asto in a prearranged I sequence electrically engage with said movablecontact elements; electrically controlled detents or pawls so adaptedand controlled that they will hold said movable contact elements inelectrical connection with preferred stationary contact elements so longas the latter remain alive or energized; said electrically controlleddetents or pawls further so adapted and controlled that they will allowsaid movable contact elements to move when said preferred stationarycontact elements become dead or deenergized and shall prevent furthermotion when said movable contact elements shall electrically engageother or alternate stationary contact elements; said electricallycontrolled detents or pawls further so adapted and controlled that theywill again allow said movable contact elementsto move when saidpreferred stationary contact elements again become alive or reenergizedand shall prevent further motion when said movable contact elementsshall again electrically engage said preferred stationary contactelements and means for conducting electrical energy from moat rt saidmovable contact elements to points of consumption. 7

12. In an electric switch the combination of a revoluble shaft and ameans for causing said shaft to revolve; one or more movable switchblades or levers so mounted and connected that they are actuated by saidrevoluble shaft; one or more stationary contacts so mounted and locatedthat they will engage said movable switch blades or levers in apredetermined order; a means for stopping and releasing the motion ofsaid revolubleshaft, and a means for transferring electrical energy fromsaid movable switch blades or levers to points of consumption.

13. The combination with devices which consume electrical energy ofwires carrying energy to said devices and ameans for automaticallydisconnecting said wires from the normal or preferred point ofsupply'when the electrical pressure at the latter point falls belowapredetermined value and for connecting said wires to an auxiliary oralternate point of supply, also for disconnecting said wires from saidauxiliary or alternate point of supply and for again connecting saidwires to said preferred or normal po nt of supply when the electricalpressure at the latter point rises above a predetermined value, and ameans for reducing the injury to the apparatus from any are formed atthe break of the circuit.

14. In an electrical circuit the combination with devices which consumeelectrical energy of a selective switching device having a plurality ofindependently energized contacts; a means for automatically establishingelectrical connection between said consuming devices and any particularset of said independently energized contacts; a means for selecting thatparticular set of contacts which remain energized up to a predeterminedpotential and a means for reducing the arcing at the breaking of thecircuit.

15. In an electric circuit the combination with devices which consumeelectrical energy of an automatic means for transferring said devicesfrom one source of supply to another; a means for making the action ofsaid automatic means for transferring dependent npon the failure tomaintain or the restablishing of a predetermined potential at the normalpoint of supply and a means for reducing arcing in the operation oftransferring.

In testimony whereof I have aliixed my signature.

JOHN HAMILTON.

